A senior government official has claimed that president Emmerson Mnangagwa is facing a dilemma over whether or not to attend the funeral and burial of Dumiso Dabengwa. The official argues that Mnangagwa is viewed as the greatest tormentor of the late former ZIPRA commander. He is also not in good books with Matebeleland as a province over the Gukurahundi issue.
The Independent reports that insiders within the Dabengwa family do not welcome Mnangagwa’s presence. It also reports that Mnangagwa is believed to be interested in attending the event, but, is afraid of unfavourable consequences that might be triggered by his presence.
The senior government official said:
Mnangagwa is in a dilemma over the Dabengwa funeral and burial.
Ordinarily, he would have wanted to go given Dabengwa’s illustrious history and record — remember last week he paid a glowing tribute to him — but the atmosphere is hostile. Even senior Zanu PF leaders who went there led by Vice-President Kembo Mohadi could feel the tensions. They were given a frozen reception after government tried to hijack Dabengwa’s body from Kenya to transport it to Bulawayo via Harare for authorities to pontificate over his body at army barracks. How about Mnangagwa himself seen as Dabengwa’s main tormentor and the Gukurahundi enforcer?
Mnangagwa is accused of having played a major role in the arrest and imprisonment of Dabengwa. He is also widely accused of spearheading the Gukurahundi massacres.
More: The Independent
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